JPH0390179A - Supporting device of ball pitching machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To compactly form a ball pitching machine with an interlocking means prevented from interfering with the other means by pivotally supporting right and left outer side parts of a ring-shaped bracket, mounted to a frame and externally fitted to its halfway part, to a supporting bed and arranging the interlocking means in the bracket. CONSTITUTION:A ring-shaped bracket 29 is externally fitted coaxially with a ball pitching machine 8 in its longitudinal halfway part between front rotary wheels 12, 12' and rear rotary wheels 18, 18', and the bracket 29 is constituted of inner and outer rings 31 and 32 mounted to the ball pitching pipe 8 by a supporting plate 30. When the inner ring 31 is turned for the outer ring 32, a ball pitching machine main unit 3 is laterally tilted with a curve and a slider obtainable. While when a turn lever 40 is longitudinally turned, the ball pitching machine main unit 3 is vertically tilted with selection possible of a ball pitching angle. Here by arranging each belt of an upper V-belt winding means 22 and a control means 23 in the ring-shaped bracket 29, interference with the other means is prevented by the ring-shaped bracket 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a pitching machine used for baseball batting and catching practice, and more particularly to a support device for a pitching machine.

(Prior art) In order to be able to pitch at high speed, the above-mentioned pitching machine has
Conventionally, there is a device configured as follows.

That is, a vibrator serving as a frame is provided that extends in the pitching direction. A pair of front rotating wheels are provided that are arranged to sandwich this pipe from the left and right, and a pair of rear rotating wheels are provided behind the front rotating wheels that are arranged to sandwich the same pipe. The rotating wheel and the rear rotating wheel are connected to each other by a belt-type interlocking means. Furthermore, support stands are provided that support the front and rear ends of the pipe with brackets, respectively.

The ball supplied from the rear end side of the vibrator is first thrown forward while being sandwiched between the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of rear rotating wheels, and further, the ball is thrown forward between the outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of front rotating wheels. The ball is sandwiched between the two and accelerated, and the ball is thrown forward.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Incidentally, in the above configuration, the front and rear ends of the vibrator are each supported by brackets on the support stand, but if the brackets are provided in two places in the front and back, The pitching machine becomes heavier. Further, this type of pitching machine is each equipped with a pair of front rotating wheels and a rear rotating wheel, and thus tends to have a large overall shape. Therefore, in addition to this, if brackets are provided at the front and rear ends of the vibrator as in the above configuration, the shape of this pitching machine becomes extremely large.

Furthermore, in the above configuration, (1) the belt-wrapping type interlocking means is exposed to the outside, so (2) there is a risk that the belt or the like may get caught on something else during transportation and be easily damaged.

For this reason, the above-mentioned pitching machine is complicated to handle during transportation.

(Object of the Invention) This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to reduce the weight of a pitching machine, make the pitching machine compact, and prevent the interlocking means from interfering with other components. The purpose of this invention is to make it easier to handle this pitching machine during transportation, etc. by preventing this.

(Structure of the Invention) A feature of the present invention for achieving the above object is that a ring-shaped bracket is fitted onto the middle part of the frame between the front rotating wheel and the rear rotating wheel and is attached to the frame. The ring-shaped bracket is provided with its right and left outer sides pivoted to a support base, and an interlocking means is disposed within the ring-shaped bracket.

(for production) The effects of the above configuration are as follows.

A pitching vibe (frame) 8 extending in the direction of pitching includes a pair of front rotating wheels 12, 12' and a pair of rear rotating wheels 18.
18' are provided front and rear apart, the center of gravity of the pitching machine body 30 constituted by the pitching vibrator (frame) 8i3 and each rotating wheel is usually located at the front rotating wheel 12.12.
' and the rear rotation axis 18.18'.

Therefore, without having to support the front and rear ends of the pitching pipe (frame) 8 on the support stand 5 at two points, if the part as close as possible to the center of gravity of the pitching machine body 3 is supported, the pitching machine body 8 can be supported at two points.
will be firmly supported by the support stand 5.

This invention was made by focusing on the above points, and includes a front rotating wheel 12.12' and a rear rotating wheel 18.18'.
A ring-shaped bracket 29 is provided which is fitted onto the middle part of the pitching pipe (frame) 8 between the pitching pipe (frame) 8 and the left and right outer parts of the ring-shaped bracket 29 are attached to the support base 5. In other words, the ring-shaped bracket 2 was supported without any problem in strength.
The pitching machine main body 3 is supported at one point on the support stand 5 via the support 9.

In this way, since the pitching machine body 3 is supported at one point, compared to the conventional two-point support type in which the front and rear ends of the pitching vibe (frame) 8 are each supported by brackets, the number of brackets is reduced. Light weight and compactness are achieved.

Moreover, the front rotating wheel is 12.12' and the rear rotating wheel is 18.18'.
' Since the upper V belt winding means (interlocking means) 22 and the lower V belt winding means (interlocking means) 25 are located in the ring-shaped bracket 29, the upper V
The belt winding means (interlocking means) 22 and the lower V-belt winding means (interlocking means) 25 are prevented from interfering with other things by the ring-shaped bracket 29. Therefore, for example, when transporting the pitching machine 1, the upper V-belt winding means (interlocking means) 22 and the lower V-belt winding means (interlocking means) 25 may get caught on other objects and be damaged. This will prevent any inconvenience from occurring.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a pitching machine, and this pitching machine 1 has a pitching machine main body 3 that throws a ball 2 forward, and this pitching machine main body 3 is supported on a support base 5 via a bracket 4. Note that the arrow Fr in FIG. 1 indicates the forward direction in the pitching direction of the ball 2 by the pitching machine l.

The pitching machine main body 3 has a pitching vibrator 8, which is a frame extending in the pitching direction, and has a square cross section. A front left support plate 9 is provided on the left side of the front part of this pitching vibe 8 (referring to the direction facing the pitching direction, hereinafter the same shall apply).
is attached, and a front support plate lO is attached to the right side of the front part of the pitching vibrator 8. A pair of upper and lower front rotating wheels 12.12' are supported by bearings 11 at the lower portions of the front left support plate 9 and the front old support plate 10, respectively. They are arranged so as to sandwich the front part of 8 from above and below.

Further, a rear left support plate 15 is attached to the left side of the rear of the pitching vibrator 8, and a rear right support plate 16 is attached to the right side of the rear of the pitching vibrator 8. A pair of upper and lower rear rotary wheels 18.18' are supported by bearings 17 at the lower portions of the rear left support plate 15 and rear right support plate 16, respectively, and these rear rotary wheels 18.18' are used for pitching vibrations. It is arranged so as to sandwich the rear part of 8 from above and below.

In addition, each of the above parts, rear rotation transfer 12.12', 1s, is'
The outer periphery of each is made of an elastic material with a large coefficient of friction, such as rubber, and they are of the same shape and size, and
They have the same weight, and their rotational axes are perpendicular to the pitching direction and parallel to each other.

An upper mold mover 21 is attached to the upper part of the front left support plate 9, and this upper mold mower 21 is located coaxially with the upper front rotating wheel 12, and moves this front rotating wheel 12 to the arrow A in FIG. Rotate in the direction of . Further, with respect to this front rotating wheel 12, an upper rear rotating wheel 18 is connected to an upper V belt winding means 22 which is an interlocking means.
are linked and linked. In this case, the rear rotating wheel 1
8 rotates in the same direction as the front rotary wheel 12, as shown by arrow B in the same figure, but the speed is lower than that of the front rotary wheel 12.

On the other hand, a lower die mower 24 is attached to the lower part of the front support plate 10, and this lower die mower 24 is attached to the lower front rotary wheel 12'.
The front rotary wheel 12' is positioned coaxially with the upper front rotary wheel 12, and is driven to rotate in the opposite direction to the upper front rotary wheel 12, that is, in the direction of the arrow Fr in FIG. Further, a lower rear rotating shaft 18' is interlocked with the front rotating wheel 12' by a lower belt winding means 25, which is an interlocking means. In this case, the rear rotating wheel 18' rotates in the same direction as the front rotating wheel 12', as shown by arrow B' in the same figure.
It has been slowed down even more.

The opposing outer peripheral surfaces of the front rotating wheels 12 and 12' face into the pitching vibrator 8 through front openings 26 formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the pitching vibrator 8. In addition, the above-mentioned post-rotation is, i
The opposing outer peripheral surfaces of s' face into the pitching vibrator 8 through rear openings 27 formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the pitching vibrator 8.

On the other hand, a guide 28 for guiding the ball 2 into the pitching vibe 8 is provided at the rear end of the pitching vibe 8 .

Then, as shown by arrow C in FIG.
If this ball 2 is supplied with a pair of rear rotating wheels 18.18'
The ball is sandwiched between the outer peripheral surfaces of the ball and thrown forward as shown by the arrow in the same figure. In addition, this ball 2 is connected to a pair of front rotating wheels 12.
．． It is sandwiched between the outer circumferential surfaces of 12' and accelerated.
The ball is then pitched forward at high speed as shown by arrow E in FIG.

In addition, the rotational speeds of the above-mentioned upper and lower mold movers 21 and 24 are made variable by the electronic control means 23, respectively. Therefore, by changing these speeds, it is possible to change the ball speed, or by making the two speeds different, it is possible to give rotation to the ball 2.

Next, the bracket 4 will be explained.

The center of gravity of the pitching machine main body 3 having the above configuration is located at the front rotating wheel 12.
12' and the respective rotation centers of the rear rotating wheels 18, 18'. The front rotating wheel 12.
A ring-shaped bracket 29 is externally fitted coaxially with the pitching pipe 8 at the midway between the front and rear of the pitching vibrator 8 between the pitching pipe 12' and the rear rotating wheel 18.degree. 18'. This ring-shaped bracket 29 includes an inner ring 31 attached to the pitching vibe 8 by a support plate 30, and this inner ring 3.
1 and an outer ring 32 into which the ring 1 is fitted.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, a circumferential groove 33 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 31, and the outer ring 32
Parts of each of the three balls 34 attached to the groove 34 are fitted into the circumferential groove 33. For this reason, the inner ring 31
and outer ring 32 are prevented from separating from each other in the axial direction, and are relatively slidable only in the circumferential direction. Further, a pair of short arm vibes 35, 35 are provided to protrude left and right from the left and right outer portions of the outer ring 32.

The bracket 4 has a post 37 whose axis is perpendicular to the axis, and a support frame 3 having a shape of 0 when viewed from the front is attached to the upper end of this post 37.
8 is welded. The protruding ends of the arm vibes 35 are supported by pivot shafts 39 at the left and right upper ends of the support frame 38 so as to be rotatable about the axis of the arm vibes 35. Note that the pivot shaft 39 can be removed from each arm vibe 35.

Further, a rotation lever 40 is welded to the left pivot shaft 39, and a stopper bolt 41 is provided to stop the rotation lever 40 at a desired rotation position.

Then, the inner ring 31 is replaced with the outer ring 32.
3, the pitching machine body 3 can be tilted to a desired angle in the left and right directions when viewed from the front. You can get pitches such as curveballs and sliders by using this. Furthermore, by rotating the pivoting lever 40 back and forth, the pitching machine main body 3 can be tilted up or down to a desired angle as shown by arrow G in FIG. 1, that is, the pitching angle can be selected.

In the above case, each of the V-belts of the upper belt winding means 22 and the control means 23 is disposed within a ring-shaped bracket 29, and the ring-shaped bracket 29 prevents these V-belts from interfering with other parts. There is. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the control means 23 is also disposed within the ring-shaped bracket 29, and this control means 23 is screwed to the side surface of the pitching pipe 8. In other words, the surplus space within the ring-shaped bracket 29 is effectively utilized, and the pitching machine 1 is designed to be compact. Further, according to the above configuration, since each electric motor 21, 24 and the control means 23 rotate integrally, it is possible to prevent an unreasonable external force from being applied to the electric wiring connecting these two.

Next, the support stand 5 will be explained.

This support stand 5 has a support vibe 43 into which the support column 37 is rotatably fitted around its axis.
The connecting vibrator 44 of the book is welded. A leg vibrator 45 is removably fitted into each connecting vibrator 44 and secured with a bolt 46, respectively.

Further, a stopper bolt 47 is provided that passes through the support vibe 43 and is screwed onto the support column 37.

Furthermore, spikes 48 are protruded from the lower end of the leg vibrator 45 to firmly fix the leg vibrator 45 so that it does not move on the ground when the support stand 5 is installed on the ground.

When the stopper bolt 47 is loosened, the support 37 becomes rotatable within the support pipe 43, and by the rotation of the support 37, the pitching machine main body 3 can be rotated to a desired left and right angle in plan view. I can do it. Further, by screwing the stopper bolt 47, the support column 37 is fixed to the support vibe 43, and in other words, the pitching machine main body 3 can be fixed in that position.

Moreover, by loosening the bolt 46, each leg vibrator 45 can be detachably removed from the connecting vibrator 44.

Therefore, when transporting the pitching machine 1, the pitching machine main body 3 and the bracket 4 are separated by removing the pivot shaft 39 from each arm vibe 35 as described above. Further, by loosening the bolts 46 and the stopper bolts 47, the bracket 4 and the support base 5, as well as the connecting vibes 44 and leg vibes 45 in the support base 5, are separated from each other. Then, these separated products become small in shape and can be easily transported.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, the middle part of the frame between the front rotating wheel and the rear rotating wheel is supported on the support stand via the ring-shaped bracket, so the front and rear ends of the frame are supported by the brackets, respectively. Compared to the conventional two-point support type, the number of brackets is reduced, making it lighter and more compact.

Moreover, since the interlocking means for interlocking the front rotating wheel and the rear rotating wheel with each other is located within the ring-shaped bracket, this interlocking means is prevented from interfering with other components by the ring-shaped bracket.

Therefore, for example, inconveniences such as the interlocking means getting caught on other objects and being damaged during transportation of the pitching machine can be prevented.

Therefore, this pitching machine can be easily handled during transportation, which is convenient.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures show an embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 1 is a side partial sectional view, FIG. 2 is a front partial sectional view, and FIG. 3 is a section III of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line -III and a perspective view of the whole. l...Throwing machine, 2...Ball, 3...Throwing machine body, 4...Bracket, 5...Support stand, 8...Throwing vibe (frame), 12.12'...Front rotating wheel, 18. 18'
...Rear rotating wheel, 22.. Upper V-belt winding means (interlocking means), 25.. Lower ■ Belt winding means (interlocking means) 29.
・Ring-shaped bracket. Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A frame extending in the pitching direction, a pair of front rotating wheels arranged to sandwich this frame, and a pair of rear rotating wheels arranged behind the front rotating wheels to sandwich the same frame. , an interlocking means for interlocking the front rotating wheels and the rear rotating wheels with each other, and a support base for supporting the frame are provided, and the balls supplied from the rear end side of the frame are connected to the pair of rear rotating wheels. In a pitching machine, the ball is pitched forward while being sandwiched between the outer peripheral surfaces, and the ball is further pitched forward while being sandwiched between the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of front rotating wheels. A ring-shaped bracket is provided which is fitted onto the frame midway between the ring and the frame, and the left and right outer parts of the ring-shaped bracket are pivoted to a support base, and an interlocking means is provided within the ring-shaped bracket. A supporting device for the pitching machine installed.